Virginia Fire Marshal Academy

Fire Inspector Curriculum ACTION PLAN

Background The Virginia Fire Marshal Academy provides initial certification training for fire inspectors within the Commonwealth of Virginia. The curriculum satisfies the training requirements for Fire Officials and Technical Assistants be certified in accordance with the Virginia Certification Standards (13VAC5-21) as required by Section 105 of the Statewide Fire Prevention Code (SFPC). The curriculum also satisfies the requirements of Section 27.34-2 of the Code of Virginia regarding the authority to arrest, to procure and serve warrants of arrest and to issue summons. In January 2017, the Department of Fire Programs suspended initial certification classes for fire inspectors, fire investigators, and basic law enforcement. The two primary factors driving this decision were the loss of administrative controls and concerns regarding the alignment of the curriculum with the most current edition of the NFPA certification standards, i.e. the 2014 editions of NFPA 1031, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Inspector and Plan Examiner, and NFPA 1033, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator. Actions to Date A Stakeholder meeting was held at VDFP Headquarters on March 28, 2017. Approximately 65 people attended this meeting. A variety of issues were discussed, including the length of the initial certification training, offering a combined Inspector I & II program versus separate Inspector I and II programs, capabilities of students after completing the class, and acceptance of certifications from other states or training sources. As a result of this meeting, as well as feedback obtained from previous surveys, the following goals / objectives were established:

Ideally, the class should be no more than three (3) weeks long.

For the near term, a combined Inspector I & II program should continue.

Additional study of the need / benefit of a stand-alone Inspector I program should be conducted for the long term.

A “bridge class” should be developed to allow individuals with accredited certifications from other states or training sources to obtain the training necessary to comply with the requirements of the SFPC and COV §27-34.2 without taking the entire initial certification class.

In addition, a need to revise or replace existing curriculum materials has been identified. The current four-week program utilizes a text book from Jones & Bartlett for Week 1 and primarily internally developed materials for the balance of the class. There is no Instructors Guide for the curriculum; the majority of the material that would be contained in an Instructor Guide resides in the institutional knowledge of the long term cadre. In order to facilitate using a larger instructor cadre, to provide for succession planning of the long term cadre, and to provide multiple instructional methods to meet the varied learning styles of adults learners, a comprehensive curriculum package must be developed. A Fire Inspector Subject Matter Expert (SME) Workgroup has been convened to evaluate the existing Fire Inspector (NFPA 1031) curriculum and revise or replace the curriculum, as necessary. The members of the Fire Inspector SME Workgroup are:

William Lloyd, VFMA Instructor Cadre

Robin Preece, VFMA Instructor Cadre

Rodney Ferguson, VFMA Instructor Cadre

Ernie Little, VFMA Instructor Cadre

Chief Linda Hale, Loudoun County Fire Marshal’s Office

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Chief James “Robby” Dawson, Chesterfield County Fire Marshal’s Office

Gerry Maiatico, Fire Marshal, Warren County

Lt. Charles Chapin, City of Suffolk Fire Marshal’s Office

Lt. Joe Boisseau, Colonial Heights Fire Marshal’s Office

Sandy Morris, Director, Jack A. Proctor Virginia Building Code Academy (DHCD)

Rajan Engh, Curriculum Development Specialist, DHCD

Brian McGraw, State Fire Marshal The SME Workgroup has reviewed the existing curriculum against the Job Performance Requirements (JPRs) of NFPA 1031, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Inspector and Plan Reviewer (2014 edition) for Fire Inspector I and II. In addition, the curriculum has been compared against the requirements of 19VAC15-20, Regulations Establishing Certifications Standards for Fire Inspectors. Based on the work of the SME Workgroup to date, it has been realized that a complete curriculum update / replacement by the July 1 date for resuming training is unrealistic. As a result, action plans have been developed to facilitate the short term resumption of training as well as the long term goal of completely updating the curriculum. Short Term Action Plan A short term action plan to facilitate the resumption of training in July 2017 has been developed to address the two critical items that initiated the suspension of training, i.e. administrative controls and certification to the 2014 standard. In addition, the SME Workgroup has identified modifications to the existing curriculum that will achieve one of the stakeholder objectives in the short term, i.e. reducing the class length from four weeks to three weeks. Administrative Controls

Adhere to VDFP Policies for minimum class size and registration deadlines o Minimum class size: 12 students o All required registration materials must be received at least ten (10) days prior to class start date. o Students that do not meet prerequisites will not be permitted to attend the class.

Review requirements for criminal background checks o If required, provide clear direction for completing forms o Specify what constitutes an unacceptable results, i.e. COV §15.2-1705.

Requiring all students to meet prerequisites before the start of class will resolve most, if not all, of the issues associated with generating certificates at the end of the class

Curriculum

Compare 2009 and 2014 editions of NFPA 1031 and develop correlation document. IN PROCESS

Identify material in NFPA 1031 standard or administrative regulations that is not covered in current curriculum or requires additional coverage. COMPLETE – SEE ATTACHED PROPOSED SCHEDULE

Incorporate identified material into current curriculum. IN PROCESS

Identify reading / preparation to be completed prior to class COMPLETED o Diamantes 4th Edition: Section 1, Chapter 1, Chapter 2 o Chapter 1 of Statewide Fire Prevention Code

Test Bank Validation

Review 2014 test bank TO BE COMPLETED IN JUNE Resume Training Delivery

Target delivery date: July 10, 2017

Location: Tidewater Region

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Long Term Action Plan Once short term action plan has been completed and training delivery has resumed, the SME Workgroup will initiate the comprehensive revision of the curriculum. The actions associated with that process include: Develop Initial Certification Program

Review commercially available curricula for use as base materials IN PROCESS o Fire Inspector Principles and Practice, Jones & Bartlett o Fire Inspection and Code Enforcement, IFSTA o Fire Prevention Inspection and Code Enforcement, 4th Edition, Diamantes

Develop list of “Virginia Specific Material” to be added to base curriculum IN PROCESS

Incorporate Virginia Specific Material into base curriculum Develop “Bridge” Class

Develop stand-alone curriculum to cover the Virginia Specific Material identified above Sustainment and Expansion

Develop and implement plans for periodic review and update of curricula

Assess need for additional training deliver options: o Separate Inspector I and Inspector II classes

Assess need for Fire Marshal training class for certification to NFPA 1037 standard Attachments:

1. Proposed Fire Inspector Class Schedule (Short Term) 2. Working Outline of Virginia Specific Material

Virginia Fire Marshal Academy

Fire Investigator Curriculum ACTION PLAN

Background In January 2017, the Department of Fire Programs suspended initial certification classes for fire inspectors, fire investigators, and basic law enforcement. The two primary factors driving this decision were the loss of administrative controls and concerns regarding the alignment of the curriculum with the most current edition of the NFPA certification standards, i.e. the 2014 editions of NFPA 1031, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Inspector and Plan Examiner, and NFPA 1033, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator. Actions to Date A Stakeholder meeting was held at VDFP Headquarters on March 28, 2017. Approximately 65 people attended this meeting. A variety of issues were discussed, including the length of the initial certification training, requiring mandatory prerequisites similar to the National Fire Academy, capabilities of students after completing the class, and acceptance of certifications from other states or training sources. As a result of this meeting, as well as feedback obtained from previous surveys, the following goals / objectives were established:

Ideally, the class should be approximately three (3) weeks long.

A “bridge class” should be developed to allow individuals with accredited certifications from other states or training sources to obtain the training necessary to practice in Virginia without taking the entire initial certification class.

In addition, a need to revise or replace existing curriculum materials has been identified. The current four-week program utilizes primarily internally developed materials. There is no Instructors Guide for the curriculum; the majority of the material that would be contained in an Instructor Guide resides in the institutional knowledge of the long term cadre. In order to facilitate using a larger instructor cadre, to provide for succession planning of the long term cadre, and to provide multiple instructional methods to meet the varied learning styles of adults learners, a comprehensive curriculum package must be developed. A Fire Investigator Subject Matter Expert (SME) Workgroup has been convened to evaluate the existing Fire Investigator (NFPA 1033) curriculum and revise or replace the curriculum, as necessary. The members of the Fire Investigator SME Workgroup are:

Harold Adams, VFMA Instructor Cadre

Robert “Bull” Rollston, VFMA Instructor Cadre

Ed “Butch” Fuzy, VFMA Instructor Cadre

Lt. Charles Chapin, City of Suffolk Fire Marshal’s Office

Lt. Joe Boisseau, Colonial Heights Fire Marshal’s Office

Jeremy Luttrell, Fire Marshal, City of Winchester

Lee Mooney, Captain, Hanover County Fire Marshal’s Office

Steve Philips, Lieutenant, Hanover County Fire Marshal’s Office

Perry Weller, Deputy Fire Marshal, City of Staunton

Brian McGraw, State Fire Marshal The SME Workgroup has reviewed the existing curriculum against the Job Performance Requirements (JPRs) of NFPA 1033, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator (2014 edition). In addition, the curriculum has been compared against the requirements of 19VAC15-30, Regulations Establishing Certifications Standards for Fire Investigators.

2

Based on the work of the SME Workgroup to date, it has been realized that a complete curriculum update / replacement by the July 1 date for resuming training is unrealistic. As a result, action plans have been developed to facilitate the short term resumption of training as well as the long term goal of completely updating the curriculum. Short Term Action Plan A short term action plan to facilitate the resumption of training in July 2017 has been developed to address the two critical items that initiated the suspension of training, i.e. administrative controls and certification to the 2014 standard. Administrative Controls

Adhere to VDFP Policies for minimum class size and registration deadlines o Minimum class size: 12 students o All required registration materials must be received at least ten (10) days prior to class start date. o Students that do not meet prerequisites will not be permitted to attend the class.

Review requirements for criminal background checks o If required, provide clear direction for completing forms o Specify what constitutes an unacceptable results, i.e. COV §15.2-1705.

Requiring all students to meet prerequisites before the start of class will resolve most, if not all, of the issues associated with generating certificates at the end of the class

Curriculum

Compare 2009 and 2014 editions of NFPA 1033 and develop correlation document. IN PROCESS

Identify material in NFPA 1033 standard or administrative regulations that is not covered in current curriculum or requires additional coverage. IN PROCESS

Incorporate identified material into current curriculum. IN PROCESS

Identify material that can be removed or reduced due to coverage in BLE IN PROCESS

Identify reading / preparation to be completed prior to class IN PROCESS o CFITrainer.net modules

Test Bank Validation

Review 2014 test bank TO BE COMPLETED IN JUNE Resume Training Delivery

Target delivery date: August, 2017

Location: Lynchburg / Danville area Long Term Action Plan Once short term action plan has been completed and training delivery has resumed, the SME Workgroup will initiate the comprehensive revision of the curriculum. The actions associated with that process include: Develop Initial Certification Program

Review commercially available curricula for use as base materials IN PROCESS o Fire Investigator Principles and Practice to NFPA 921 and 1033, Jones & Bartlett o Fire Investigator, IFSTA

Develop list of “Virginia Specific Material” to be added to base curriculum IN PROCESS

Incorporate Virginia Specific Material into base curriculum

3

Develop “Bridge” Class

Develop stand-alone curriculum to cover the Virginia Specific Material identified above Sustainment and Expansion

Develop and implement plans for periodic review and update of curricula

Evaluate and revise content of CFFI modules

1

VIRGINIA FIRE MARSHAL ACADEMY

Proposed 1031 Presentation Schedule

with JPR listed if J & B material is removed

Day Proposed Topic Estimated

time

Subject Student

Assignment

JPR

Insp I

JPR

Insp II

Regulation

Insp I

Regulation

Insp II

Day 1

Title 27 & 36 &

Dillon’s rule

How to use the code

books. Exercise,

testing & skills

review.

2 hrs.

3 hrs.

1 hr.

Workshops 4-2.1A 5-2

5-2.1

5-2.6

5-2.6A

5-2.6B

15-20-190

15-20-620

15-20-630

15-20-640

15-20-1010

Day 2

Workshop review.

Chap. 1

Chap 2

Use groups.

1 hr.

3 hrs.

1 hr.

1 hr.

In class

exercise

(3)

Workshops 4-2.1A 15-20-640

15-20-670

15-20-680

15-20-930

15-20-1010

15-20-1020

Day 3

Workshop review

Special Use Groups.

Construction Types.

Height and Area,

Fire Resistance

Video–PWC Church

1 hr.

2 hrs.

2 hrs.

1 hr.

In class

exercise

(2)

Workshops 4-3.2

4-3.2A

4-3.2B

5-3.2

5-3.2A

5-3.2B

5-3.3

5-3.3A

5-3.3B

5-4.2

5-4.2A

5-4.2B

15-20-580

15-20-590

15-20-900

15-20-930

15-20-970

15-20-990

15-20-1020

Day 4

Workshop review

Chap. 10 Egress

Video History Chan.

1 hr.

4 hrs.

1 hr.

In class

exercise

(3)

Workshops 4-3.3

4-3.3A

4-3.3B

5-3.1

5-3.1A

5-3.1B

5-4.5

5-4.5A

5-4.5B

5-4.6

5-4.6A

5-4.6B

15-20-560

15-20-570

15-20-690

15-20-900

15-20-910

15-20-970

15-20-1020

Day 5

Workshop review

Flow testing.

Chap. 9 Fire

Protection

Video - station

Written Quiz

Review

1 hr.

3 hrs.

1 hr.

In class

exercise

(4)

Workshops 4-3.5

4-3.5A

4-3.5B

4-3.6

4-3.6A

4-3.6B

4-3.9

4-3.9A

4-3.9B

4-3.16

5-3.4

5-3.4A

5-3.4B

5-3.10

5-3.10A

5-3.10B

5-4

5-4.1

5-4.3

5-4.3A

5-4.3B

5-4.4

5-4.4A

5-4.4B

15-20-270

15-20-470

15-20-480

15-20-490

15-20-500

15-20-510

15-20-520

15-20-530

15-20-860

15-20-870

2

Day 6

Written Quiz

Workshop review

Chap. 3-8

Chap. 11-36

1 hr.

1 hr.

2 hrs.

2 hrs.

In class

exercise

(3)

Workshops 4-3.10

4-3.11

4-3.14

4-3.15

5-3.7

5-3.7A

5-3.7B

5-3.10

5-3.10A

5-3.10B

5-3.12

5-3.12A

5-3.12B

15-20-460

15-20-540

15-20-550

15-20-560

15-20-580

15-20-600

15-20-610

15-20-620

15-20-630

15-20-690

15-20-840

15-20-850

15-20-880

15-20-890

15-20-900

15-20-920

15-20-940

15-20-950

15-20-960

15-20-1000

Day 7

Workshop review

Chap. 11-36 (cont.)

Chap. 50 Haz. Gen.

Chaps. 51 – 55

1 hr.

2 hrs.

1 hr.

2 hrs.

In class

exercise

(2)

Workshops 4-3.12

4-

3.12A

4-

3.12B

5-3.8

5-3.8A

5-3.8B

15-20-200

15-20-210

15-20-220

15-20-230

15-20-240

15-20-250

15-20-260

15-20-270

15-20-280

15-20-290

15-20-300

15-20-430

15-20-440

15-20-460

15-20-810

15-20-820

Day 8

Workshop review

Chap 56

Explosive/Fire work

Chaps. 57 – 67

1 hr.

4 hrs.

1 hrs.

In class

exercise

(2)

Workshops 15-20-200

15-20-210

15-20-220

15-20-230

15-20-240

15-20-250

15-20-260

15-20-270

15-20-280

15-20-290

15-20-380

15-20-390

15-20-400

15-20-410

15-20-420

15-20-440

15-20-450

15-20-820

15-20-830

15-20-850

Day 9

Workshop review

Chaps. 57 - 67

(cont.)

Court Testimony

Virtual Inspection

1 hr.

2 hrs.

1 hr.

2 hrs.

Workshops 4-3.13

4-

3.13A

4-

3.13B

4-3.14

4-

3.14A

4-

3.14B

5-3.9

5-3.9A

5-3.9B

15-20-300

15-20-310

15-20-320

15-20-330

15-20-340

15-20-350

15-20-360

15-20-370

15-20-640

15-20-650

15-20-660

15-20-810

15-20-960

3

Day

10

Workshop review

Negligence/Legal

Notices, Summons,

Inspection Warrant

Written Code

Review

1 hr.

1 hr.

2 hrs.

1 hr.

Workshops 5-2

5-2.1

5-2.1A

5-2.1B

5-2.3

5-2.3A

5-2.3B

15-20-190

15-20-640

15-20-650

15-20-680

15-20-800

15-20-980

15-20-1010

15-20-1030

15-20-1040

15-20-1050

15-20-1060

15-20-1070

15-20-1080

15-20-1090

15-20-1100

Day

11

Written Quiz

Workshop review

Virtual Inspection

Report Writing

Practical

1 hr.

1 hr.

2 hrs.

2 hrs.

In class

exercise

(2)

4-2.1B

4-3?

5-3

5-3.1

5-3.1A

5-3.1B

5-3.11

5-3.11A

5-3.11B

5-4.1

5-4.1A

5-4.1B

15-20-180

15-20-650

15-20-660

15-20-690

15-20-800

15-20-940

15-20-960

15-20-970

15-20-1030

15-20-1040

15-20-1050

15-20-1060

15-20-1070

15-20-1100

Day

12

Virtual Inspection

Skills Exercise

2 hrs.

2 hrs.

4-2.3

4-3?

4-3.1

4-3.1A

4-3.1B

4-3.8

4-3.8A

4-3.8B

5-2.3

5-2.3A

5-2.3B

5-3.5

5-3.5A

5-3.5B

5-3.6

5-3.6A

5-3.6B

15-20-190

15-20-640

15-20-660

15-20-940

15-20-960

15-20-990

15-20-1060

15-20-1070

Day

13

Moot Court

Virtual Inspection

Skills Review,

4 hrs.

1 hr.

1 hr.

4-2

4-2.6

4-2.6A

4-2.6B

4-3?

4-3.1A

4-3.1B

15-20-180

15-20-640

15-20-960

15-20-1060

15-20-1080

15-20-1090

15-20-1100

Day

14

Skills Testing 4 hrs. 4-2.2

4-2.2A

4-2.2B

4-2.3

4-2.3A

4-2.3B

4-2.5

4-2.5A

4-2.5B

4-3.1A

4-3.1B

4-3.4

4-3.4A

4-3.4B

4-3.5

4-3.5A

4

4-3.5B

4-3.6

4-3.6A

4-3.6B

4-3.7

4-3.7A

4-3.7B

4-3.8

4-3.8A

4-3.8B

4-3.9

4-3.9A

4-3.9B

4-3.12

4-

3.12A

4-

3.12B

4-3.13

4-

3.13A

4-

3.13B

4-3.14

4-

3.14A

4-

3.14B

Day

15

Evaluations

Presentations

Complaints – Add to meet 4-2.4, 4-2.4(A), 4-2.4(B)

Add information on Portable Fire Extinguishers to Chapter 9

Improve Emergency Planning to meet 4-3.10 and 4-3.11

Improve Flow Testing to meet 4-3.16 (Pitot Gauge)

Expand Permit Application & Plans Review 5-2.1 & 5-2.2

Expand Code Modification 5-2.4, 5-2.4A & 5-2.4B

Virginia Specific Fire Inspector Material WORKING OUTLINE

What is enforceable?

Title 27 vs. 36 Virginia Public Safety Regulations (Pre-1973) 27-100

Chapter 1 Scope Agricultural Exceptions How to use the Code book Operational Permits Code Adoption Process State vs. Local

Dillon Rule State Fire Marshal’s Office (9.1-206) Local Fire Marshal (27-30 et al) Fire Official and Technical Assistants (SFPC §105)

Pyrotechnician Certification Blaster Certification Legal Notices (NOV, Summons) Right of Appeal Technical Review Board (Local, State) Right of Entry (Inspection Warrant) Coordinated Inspections